EU's Ashton is also satisfied. For Javad Zarif, a deal could be reached by 20 July. Israel however continues military preparations for a unilateral air strike against Iranian nuclear sites. For Israeli leader, in "haggling in the Persian bazaar, the Iranians were better" than the US.

Vienna (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said he sees "signs" of a comprehensive deal on his country's nuclear programme. Iran's Fars news agency has in fact reported that a compromise is possible as long as it "will protect the rights of the Iranian nation".

Two days of talks in Vienna (pictured) have proven "substantive," said an optimistic but also cautious EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. Zarif said he was "optimistic" about the 20 July deadline for a long-term deal.

In yesterday's joint communiqué at the end of the latest round of talks, the parties agreed to meet again on 7-9 April.

Baroness Ashton chairs the 5 +1 group (or E3 +3), which includes representatives from Great Britain, France and Germany, as well as the United States, Russia and China.

The group is negotiating a final agreement with Iran over its nuclear programme. According to the latter, Tehran's nuclear programme was placed under closer international scrutiny in exchange for an easing of international sanctions. If an agreement is inked by July, then all the sanctions can be lifted.

The international community wants assurances from Iran as well as the right to inspect its facilities to ensure that its programme is not weaponised.

Tehran has always denied such fears, but has concealed several sites and, challenging the international community.

Although Iran continues to claim the right to develop its peaceful nuclear programme, the election of Hassan Rouhani as Iran's new president and the country's difficult economic situation have brought some fresh air to the talks.

Work on a final deal will continue in late April and in May, Zarif said. The main issues are Iran's enrichment programme and the heavy-water reactor under construction at Arak.

Tighter controls can solve the first issue.  On the second, the United States had suggested converting it into a light-water reactor, which experts say would produce less plutonium and therefore present less of a proliferation threat.

Meanwhile, Israeli media are reporting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon have ordered the army to continue preparations for a possible military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Netanyahu has always been opposed to talks. Recently, Ya'alon joined those who want an air strike, with or without the United States.

"We think that the United States should be the one leading the campaign against Iran," Ya'alon said this week during a speech at Tel Aviv University.

"But the US has entered talks with them and unfortunately, in the haggling in the Persian bazaar, the Iranians were better".

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